mac mini as backup

Can i use my old mac mini 2011 as an external hard drive to back up photos only from an M1 mini?


Posted on Jul 1, 2022 12:00 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 1, 2022 12:22 PM

Yes in a way. You can set the Mac mini into Target Disk mode, and connect it via a cable to the new Mac mini.


See here: link-> Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support


Once connected toehold Mac should appear as hard drive in Finder on the new Mac.


You can then export the photos the old Mac hard drive as a type of "backup".

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 1, 2022 12:22 PM in response to PS33

Yes in a way. You can set the Mac mini into Target Disk mode, and connect it via a cable to the new Mac mini.


See here: link-> Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support


Once connected toehold Mac should appear as hard drive in Finder on the new Mac.


You can then export the photos the old Mac hard drive as a type of "backup".

Jul 2, 2022 11:43 AM in response to PS33

No. You can set it up to Target Disk Mode regardless of macOS version.


If you are using iCloud Photo Library, you can turn it on on the new Mac and it will downlaod the Photos onto itself.


From there you can export them onto the old Mac mini. Not sure you can turn on iCloud Photos on Mavericks though someone will correct me If I’m wrong.






This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

mac mini as backup

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.